Meaning & Origins

From the biblical place name Ariel, said to mean ‘lion of God’ in Hebrew. It is mentioned in the prophecies of Ezra (8:16) and Isaiah (29:1–2). This is relatively common as a boy's name in modern Israel, but in the United States it is more frequently used as a girl's name.

Spanish (Aragón) and French: regional name from Aragon, an independent kingdom from 1035 to 1479, which took its name from the river Aragón that arises in its northwestern corner. The river name is of obscure origin; it may be related to Basque (h)ara(n) ‘valley’. In Basque, Aragon is called Aragoa or Aragoi, which may mean ‘high valley’. See also Dragon, Deragon.